Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thanks to Janis for all your help and thanks to everyone who reviewed.
Chapter 2: Friday
The Walker's Ranch
Friday morning dawned bright and clear; by noon Alex & Walker were ready to go to the funeral service for Ranger Cliff Jensen, Ranger Wade Harper and Wade's wife, Betsy.
"Josie's not working at the HOPE Center today and said she'll be glad to watch Angela. We need to get going, so we'll have time to drop her off and get to the cemetery." Alex was saying as she got Angela's diaper bag ready. "All she'll do is eat and sleep, anyway, besides Josie handles babies every day," Alex continued unnecessarily.
"Alex, you're getting yourself worked up before we even leave. I know you trust Josie with Angela, so do I." Walker put his arms around his wife from behind, "I, also, know the reason you're going on about Angela is to keep from dwelling on today."
"Think you know me pretty well, Cowboy?" Alex asked with a smile.
"If I don't by now, I never will," Walker returned her smile kissing her cheek at the same time.
Alex finished getting the bag together and picked it up while Walker got Angela. They walked hand in hand to the truck knowing together they could make it through the coming day.
Jimmy & Erika's apartment"I love you too, daddy. Jimmy's ready to leave. I've got to go now, talk to you later. Bye." Erika hung up the phone as Jimmy came out of the bedroom.
"Could you do this tie for me, honey? This sling doesn't allow me to move much." Jimmy raised his left arm slightly while talking.
"Now Jimmy, you know the doctor just told you to wear it through today. You can start using your arm this weekend and go back to work Monday; he just wants you to take it easy for a few weeks. So, if I hear you've done anything strenuous, you'll be dealing with me not the doctor. There, all finished, let's go." With those words Erika kissed his cheek as Jimmy realized she had his tie fixed and was taking his arm ready to leave.
Sydney's apartmentThe doorbell rang just as Sydney was finishing her makeup. She went to let Gage in, hoping no signs of her sleepless night showed.
"Hi Gage, come on in. I'll be ready in a minute."
"Hey Syd." Gage watched her get a jacket from her bedroom with a slight frown on his face noticing she wasn't acting quite normal. "Are you okay?" He asked as she came back into the living room.
"Yeah, what makes you ask that?" Sydney tried to laugh off the question.
Gage noticed her laugh was forced, at the same time focusing on the dark smudges under her eyes that makeup couldn't quite hide. He replied, "You don't seem your usual perky self today."
"There's nothing wrong, Gage. Can you say that you're looking forward to this afternoon?"
"Point taken, you ready?"
At Sydney's nod they headed to the car. Sydney breathed a sigh of relief at successfully stopping her partner's train of thought; not knowing Gage decided to drop the subject but keep a close eye on her that afternoon.
At the funeralsSydney stood between Jimmy & Gage during the graveside service. Walker stood on Jimmy's other side, while Alex and Erika stood together behind them. While the priest delivered the combined eulogies, Sydney thought about Cliff being shot right beside her and Gage. Seeing Connie and Margaret's grief, Sydney's dreams from the night before of Monday morning with the bullet hitting Gage on her right side instead of Cliff on her left began filtering through her mind. As the Rangers saluted, Sydney took some comfort in her partner's presence beside her, but with that comfort the thought of how much losing Gage would hurt became more acute in her mind.
Gage threw a sidelong glance at Sydney as he noticed her breathing heavier and trembling slightly. Worried he thought, "Man, I've got to talk to Syd and find out why she's so upset. Could be, it's just everything that happened this week. I know it spooked me when Cliff got shot right beside us." Thinking of Cliff, Gage recalled images from Monday, only this time the image was one that had been haunting Gage all week where the bullet hit Syd instead of Cliff. Gage realized how alone he would feel if he lost Syd, while also, wondering if she was upset over something similar. With these thoughts, Gage decided to get Syd out of her apartment over the weekend and, hopefully, get her to talk about what was bothering her.
As the service ended and the rangers dropped their salutes, Connie and Meg, as Betsy's sister was called, stepped forward to place flowers on the coffins. Sydney, unable to watch their tears without crying herself, turned toward where Alex and Erika were standing only to see them crying, also. Watching Walker and Jimmy go to comfort them, Sydney felt somewhat lost until her partner's arm went around her shoulders offering silent support.
At Connie's house
About an hour after family and close friends had gathered at Connie's house, only Connie's family, who had gone upstairs, and her Ranger friends were still there. Connie and Meg, finally, settled down in the living room with Alex, Sydney and Erika for a relaxing chat, while Walker, Gage and Trivette were in the dining room talking.
Upon feeling Syd's gaze on him for the third time in the last half hour, Gage decided to set a plan in motion that he'd come up with earlier.
"Walker…I was wondering if Syd and I could borrow a couple of horses tomorrow?"
"Sure Gage, I can keep Apache and Cheyenne in the barn when I let the others out in the pasture. Is this something you two been planning?" Walker asked, curiously.
"No, I was thinking about it this afternoon. It's a surprise for Syd, I haven't even asked her yet." As Gage said this he and Walker both looked at Jimmy.
"What are you looking at me for? I won't even talk to Sydney today, promise." Jimmy defended himself.
"I don't care if you talk to her, just don't mention tomorrow's plans." Gage replied. "She seems upset, but she wouldn't admit it. I'm hoping she'll talk to me if we get away from everything."
"Sounds like a good idea, Gage." Walker agreed, "Alex thinks she's upset and needs to talk to someone, too."
"Syd usually talks to Alex, even though she's married to you. With Alex not being part of the Rangers, Syd can open up to her about things that she wouldn't tell one of us."
"You mean, except for you?" Jimmy interjected, both he and Walker knowing how close the junior partners were.
Walker retook the conversation. "I know…probably because of the circumstances surrounding Angela's birth, but Alex commented today that Sydney hasn't really talked to her since the barbeque last Sunday."
"She's acted different all week and I haven't gotten two words out of her about anything that's not work-related since Monday." While talking Gage intercepted another look from Sydney, "Guys, she just looked in here and I don't want her to think something's up. Walker, if we aren't at the ranch by 10:00 tomorrow, we probably won't be."
"If you aren't there, I'll let the horses out; but I have a feeling you'll persuade Sydney to go." Walker's final remark on the subject was met with an agreeable nod from Jimmy, and a skeptical look from Gage. As the conversation drifted to other topics, Gage glanced at Syd, glad to see the ladies laughing and wondering if Walker's feeling was correct.
In the living room, the women's conversation drifted to babies with everyone wanting to know how Angela's first night at home went. Half-listening to Alex's answer, Sydney's gaze went to Gage for the fourth time, pondering the somber look on his handsome face.
"Then the third time Angela woke up in two hours; I wished Sydney and Gage were there to get her back to sleep." The mention of her name brought Sydney's attention back to the conversation. "She slept three hours straight after falling asleep with Sydney holding her." Alex's final comment brought laughter to all, even Sydney.
When the laughter died down, Connie stated, "My two gave us fits the first couple of weeks before they settled into a routine of sleeping three hours before waking. The first weeks were rough on Cliff, because he would help overnight and still get to work on time the next morning." Connie, suddenly, got teary-eyed at mentioning her husband.
"Connie…when Meg and the kids leave, why don't you stay at the ranch with us," Alex was quick to offer. "We have plenty of room and," Alex trailed off as Connie shook her head.
"Thanks, but Meg invited me to stay with her a few weeks, so I'm off to Waco on Monday. The change of scene will be for the best; then I can decide what to do. You don't have to worry about me, and I'll see you all in about three weeks."
Walker, Jimmy and Gage came to the door in time to overhear Connie's plans.
"Alex, I'm sorry to drag you away, but it's 4:30. We'd better get going if we're going to be at Josie's by 5:00 to pick up Angela."
"Oh, Walker, I completely lost track of the time. Connie, normally I wouldn't hurry off, but Josie has a date tonight."
All of the women stood up as Alex picked up her purse. Sydney and Erika looked at each other then at Gage and Jimmy.
Sydney asked, "So we're betting you two are ready to leave, too?" Her question received a sheepish grin from Gage, while Jimmy looked slightly uncomfortable.
Connie jumped into the conversation, "Sydney and Erika are just teasing, you two. Meg and I need to get some rest, anyway, and I need to get packed before Monday." With a round of goodbyes, everyone hugged Connie while wishing her a safe trip, then getting in their cars to leave.
Gage's car
Gage and Sydney left Connie's house in silence. After 10 minutes, Sydney suddenly asked, "Gage, would you like to stay with me this weekend?"
Receiving only stunned silence from her partner, Sydney continued, "I'm sorry, Gage…"
"Syd," Gage quickly pulled out of his stupor.
"I shouldn't have asked you that…"
"Syd."
"You probably already have plans for the weekend and…"
"Sydney!" Gage's use of her full name stopped her in mid-sentence. "I didn't have any plans, except seeing if we could do something together this weekend. I'd love to stay with you, as long as we swing by my place for some things first."
Sydney smiled as she teased, "That's why I asked now instead of when you got me home. Besides you sure can't wear any of my clothes."
"Believe me, I wouldn't want to try." Gage and Sydney both laughed at that thought.
Sydney's apartment
Gage had stopped for Chinese takeout on the way to Sydney's. After eating and cleaning the kitchen, they decided to watch a John Wayne movie on TV. While waiting for the movie to start, Gage broached the subject of the next day.
"Syd, why don't we go riding at Walker's tomorrow?" Noticing Syd's hesitation, Gage played his trump card by mentioning their favorite horses. "I talked to Walker earlier, and he said we could use Apache and Cheyenne." Gage knew he had Syd hooked when a half smile crossed her face.
"We haven't been riding for a while, and we did discuss planning to go on our way to Walker's last Sunday. Since we had takeout tonight, I'll even cook you that dinner you hinted about last Monday."
"That sounds great, Syd. You didn't even promise to cook for me." Gage accepted and teased hoping to keep Syd's mind off the events occurring just after that.
Sydney smiled at him, mischievously, "I thought I did, when I said 'I knew I didn't have to beg'?" Gage gave her a sheepish grin, as their eyes locked, neither looking away until the music for "The Quiet Man" interrupted their unspoken conversation.
After the movie was over, Gage walked down the hall with Syd until they came to the guest room door.
"Good night, Gage. See you in the morning."
"Night, Syd. Sleep well, see you tomorrow."
Sydney continued on to her bedroom and both got settled for the night. Sleep came quickly to Sydney, but just as quickly the nightmares, also, came.
Once again, it was Monday when she, Gage and Cliff were coming down the courthouse steps. She heard a rifle fire and watched in horror as Gage fell to the ground. Dropping to check on him, she realized that Gage was dead and she'd missed the chance to confess her true feelings to him.
The dream quickly changed to Walker and Alex stepping out to the porch of their home; then dozens of gunshots rang out with Walker and Alex's bullet-riddled bodies falling to the porch, never more to move.
Hearing someone call to Walker and Alex, Sydney looked to see Erika and Jimmy running to their friend's aid only to fall dead from the ongoing gunfire. Sydney screamed knowing she'd lost her closest friends.
The next moment her eyes popped open as she sat up in a cold sweat, looking wildly around her room. Unsure if she'd really screamed, Syd listened for any noise from Gage's room. Relieved it was only a dream, yet knowing she wouldn't get back to sleep; Sydney decided to get a drink of water and sit on the couch for a while. She had been on the sofa about 15 minutes when she caught a movement from the corner of her eye. When she let out a startled yelp, the sound brought a quick reassurance.
"It's okay, Syd. It's only me."
"Good grief Gage, you scared me half to death."
"Sorry, I heard you come out here and thought I'd check on you." Gage ruefully replied as he sat beside her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," was the morose answer.
"Sure, you sound just fine and dandy. What happened to get you up in the middle of the night?"
"I had a bad dream and couldn't get back to sleep. Hey, you want to watch TV a while?"
Knowing Syd was trying to gloss over her dream, Gage agreed. Reaching for the remote, he found the John Wayne movie marathon they were watching earlier. Settling back on the couch, he put his arm around Syd pleasantly surprised when she moved closer to him.
When Gage's arm went around her shoulders, Syd curled her feet up on the sofa and leaned closer to her partner, thinking how nice it was having him hold her close. As they watched "McLintock," both started to relax. Soon Syd was asleep, when Gage realized this he turned the TV off and carefully stretched out onto his back. Holding his beloved partner protectively against him, Gage smiled as she cuddled closer and closing his eyes drifted back to sleep.
Jimmy and Erika's
The nightmare came vividly to her three different times. Each time was almost exactly the same.
She was inside the courthouse with Jimmy, Sydney and Gage had just left. Jimmy joined her and they reached the door as gunshots rang out. When the gunfire stopped, they rushed outside with Walker to see Sydney and Gage lying at the foot of the steps, both dead.
In the next part she and Jimmy were at the Walker's ranch. Erika was inside with Angela when again hearing gunfire. After this round stopped she looked outside to see Jimmy, Walker and Alex, all dead in the yard.
The first couple of times the nightmare occurred, she awoke trembling. Snuggling close to Jimmy, eventually, she calmed down and went back to sleep. The last time the nightmare returned the end abruptly changed on her.
Erika walked out of Walker's house, after seeing the others dead. The gunman was still there and shot at her. The bullet hit Angela, killing her instantly, and went through into Erika.
With this dream, Erika screamed, sitting up in bed, but didn't wake until Jimmy took her arms.
"Erika? Erika, wake up, honey!" Erika became aware of her surroundings, slowly. Then she burst into tears, falling against Jimmy's chest as his arms wrapped around her.
"Shh, it's okay, honey. You're safe now. Did you have a bad dream?" At Erika's nod, he continued, "Can you tell me about it?"
Erika sniffled as her tears subsided. Jimmy handed her some tissues, still holding her close. "Jimmy, it was awful. I dreamed all of you got shot, and all I could do was watch. I've dreamed the same thing three times. The first two times I just woke up, but this time, Angela and I got shot too. It really spooked me."
"It's okay, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. All of that's behind us now." After whispering words of comfort awhile, Jimmy asked. "Think you're okay now, and can get some more sleep?" When Erika nodded they laid back down, each holding the other tightly and, finally, fell into a dreamless sleep.
The Walker's ranch
She was in court listening to the judge read another verdict in the state's favor. Leaving the courtroom, she saw her husband waiting outside with a grave look on his face.
"Walker, what's wrong? What happened?"
"Alex, let's sit down. It's Sydney and Gage; they've been shot. They didn't make it. We don't know exactly what happened."
"They're dead?" At his affirmative nod, Alex broke into uncontrollable tears. The loss of her two young friends was too much to bear.
Walker took her home, where Jimmy arrived with Erika soon after. While they were sitting in the yard, relaxing, they heard shots fired. Alex watched in horror as one by one: Erika, Jimmy and Walker were hit. Immediately after, she felt the burning sensation of a bullet hitting her square in the back.
Waking to moaning whimpers, Walker started getting out of bed for Angela. Reaching the bedroom door, he realized they were coming, not from the nursery but from behind him. Going to sit on the edge of the bed, he touched his wife's shoulder gently. "Alex?"
"Walker!" With this cry, Alex shot upright in bed colliding with her husband's chest. "Oh Walker, I had a horrible nightmare. All of us were killed: Sydney and Gage at work, then you, Jimmy, Erika and I here. We didn't even try to take cover."
"It's okay, Alex. You know it was a dream, Lavocat's dead and can't bother us anymore."
"I know; it's just hard to relax right now. I guess the service today brought the worst-case scenarios home."
At that time they heard Angela's cries start. Smiling at each other, they got out of bed to take care of their 'little angel' together.
TBC